This year, the Central Otago District Arts Trust is introducing Arts on the Clutha Gold Trail, an extension of the Arts on the Rail Trail programme to promote art in the Teviot Valley.
The Clutha Gold cycle trail goes from Roxburgh to Lawrence. Trust co-ordinator Rebekah De Jong said the art would be in the Teviot Valley for only this year, as it was an introductory event.
After the growth of the Arts on the Rail Trail, run from February to April since 2015, Teviot Valley residents and business owners had expressed interest in developing a similar event, as bicycle tourism was picking up in the area.
Eleven businesses, studios and galleries between Fruitlands and Millers Flat would be part of the arts trail.
The Clutha Gold Arts Trail would officially start on February 17 and finish on April 30.
The Roxburgh Gorge Trail would not be included.
This year, a brochure advertising events and mini exhibitions in the Teviot Valley would be the main form of promotion for the event.
Participating venues and artists would be listed on the flyer.
On Thursday, the Teviot Valley Community Board approved a request from the trust for a $706.85 grant to help with costs towards the design and printing of 2000 flyers and 20 advertising posters and project co-ordination.
It was approved by three board members and declined by one. One member was absent.
The total cost of the project was $1108.85.
Ms De Jong said the other funds came from the Central Otago District Arts Trust and participating venues.
Volunteers also contributed time designing and printing material and co-ordinating the project.
Endemic Art Gallery in Roxburgh’s town centre, which is owned and operated by landscape photographer Greg Slui and wildlife painter Rebecca Gilmore, is one of the galleries participating in the project.
Mr Slui said the project would be good for tourism in the Teviot Valley.
"It will being people down here — it links up with the rest of Central Otago."
Ms De Jong said this year’s project would only "touch the surface".
If the event went well, the trust would try to integrate the Clutha Gold project with the Rail Trail project.
Neither project was entirely self-funded but ways in which both projects could achieve that status would be discussed by the trust later this year, Ms De Jong said.
Arts on the Rail Trail is funded by the Central Otago District Council and several other funding bodies.
Ms De Jong said Arts on the Rail Trail would begin this weekend and artwork would be placed along the trail over the coming weeks.
